How we assess and remove a raccoon in your attic
The first and most important step in solving any raccoon problem is a thorough inspection of your home and property. In order to humanely remove and prevent raccoons from further damaging your home we need to develop a proper game plan. Taking the time to understand the exact nature of the problem helps to ensure that we deliver a timely and effective removal and protect against future intrusions.
Over 30 years of experience has taught us that no two raccoon problems are exactly the same. During our initial assessment we’ll develop a customized removal, clean-up and prevention plan to make sure your home is protected. Our trained technicians will arrive on time to our scheduled visit and perform a 35-50 point inspection of your home’s exterior and interior. We’ll then take the time to walk you through our findings as well as provide you with a written quote that details the next steps in the process.
Here are some of the things we’ll be evaluating as part of our initial visit:
- Where are the raccoons living?
- How are the raccoons getting in now?
- Where might raccoons gain access in the future?
- What sort of damage have they caused?
- Are there babies?
Raccoon Den Sites
Raccoons are well adapted to living and finding shelter in urban environments. Some of their common den sites in cities and towns include: attics, chimneys, sheds, garages as well as below decks and porches. These structures provide raccoons not only with protection from the elements but also a secure place for mother raccoons to have and raise babies.
Raccoon Entry Points
In order to get into these spaces raccoons create openings with their dexterous and nimble paws, pulling, tearing and bending exterior finishes to create openings. While rotted wood or previously damaged parts of a home are easily discovered and taken advantage of, raccoons can also make short work of brand new building materials. Many of the materials used in modern construction, such as plastic and aluminum are no match for a determined raccoon.
Raccoon Damage
Once inside, raccoon families are able to cause plenty of costly home damage. Their entry points can allow rain and snow to enter the structure and their activity inside the attic compacts and displaces insulation leading to higher energy bills, drafty rooms and possible mould issues. That’s not to mention the health, sanitary and odour issues around raccoons droppings and urine.
Itemized Written Quote
Our trained technicians go where the raccoons go to evaluate the full extent of the infestation to provide you with a full understanding of the situation at hand and the steps needed to get it resolved. That means climbing ladders and crawling through uncomfortable attics and using photos and video to share our findings. Once complete, we’ll provide you with an itemized quote, taking into consideration the unique features of your home’s condition, design and construction and ensuring your home and family are protected.
Removing Raccoons Humanely
After we have completed our evaluation of your home and property our next step is a hands-on and humane removal of the raccoons. We don’t just set a trap and wait, our preferred approach involves gaining access to the den site and physically removing the raccoons for fast effective results. Our technicians are no stranger to safely climbing roofs, navigating tight attics or crawling below decks to get the job done.
Baby Raccoons
One of the main reasons we do not rely on traps to remove raccoons is the likelihood of babies. Raccoon babies begin to arrive in March and they continue to arrive though most of summer. During the birthing season there is a strong chance that your raccoon control issue includes young babies.
Once raccoon babies arrive the removal process becomes much more complicated. Mother raccoons give birth to litters that typically range in size from 2 to 6 babies. Raccoon babies are born with their eyes closed and are completely reliant on their mother for survival. In fact, they may not venture out from the densite for up to 12 weeks after birth. There’s simply no way to trap baby raccoons, they need to be removed by hand.
Once we’ve located and removed the babies from inside your home they will be placed inside a heated and weather-proof reunification box. Their mother can then safely retrieve and relocate the babies to one of her other den sites in the area as we will have prevented her from getting back into your attic, chimney or shed. Mother raccoons maintain multiple den sites so they will know exactly where to go for shelter.
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